<p>AP
World History (5)
U.S. History (5)
English Language (4)</p>
<p>AP classes I am taking this year
Calculus AB
U.S. Government
English Literature</p>
<p>EC
National Honor Society, committee chair (10, 11,12)
{City} Youth Orchestra, after school orchestra program, section leader (11,12)
Evolvement, student organization to educate public about tobacco use (12)</p>
<p>Volunteer
Math tutoring
Library</p>
<p>Awards/Achievements
Student of the month, engineering (9)
Student of the month, music (11)
Solo Ensemble Competition for Violin, Superior rating (10,11)
Section leader of school orchestra (10,11,12)
Honor Orchestra (10, 11,12)
All State Orchestra (11)
National History Day, 1st place State (11)</p>
<p>Do you have any hooks?—URM, first generation, etc? Your academics are somewhat competitive but your SAT scores a little low. I feel like Pomona places more emphasis on standardized scores that some other schools. With the school being SO small, it is hard to be accepted unless you have something different that makes you stand out.</p>
<p>IMO your stats are fine. You are a first generation student which helps and I don’t know too much about the music angle but I think that would help as well.</p>
<p>As is true with many elite colleges, the whole class could be filled with perfect or near perfect students. Pomona approaches the selection process very holistically; they look for balance and harmony.</p>
<p>I think your essays will be of huge importance. Use it as an opportunity to show your personality and passion. The old saying “To know me is to Love me” is pertinent in this case.</p>
<p>My son applied here and got rejected. He had an amazing essay and unbelievable musical talent but Pomona is weird. Check out some amazing kids who got rejected and some who had less-than-amazing stats. that got accepted. They seem to want a strange mix of kids. Good luck.</p>
<p>The class is quite small, so each student has to contribute in multiple ways to the diversity quotient. Amherst, Swarthmore and Williams are similar in this respect (although I think Pomona’s average stats are higher) – with many scholar athletes, unique talents, URM, first generation and a broad geographic representation as well. Acceptances and rejections are really mostly a reflection of the institutional needs for that given year. No way to predict when tap-dancing poets or tuba-playing chemists will be preferred. Always worth a try!</p>
<p>I do not think your scores are “too low.” I also think your resume is fairly impressive. As long as your essays are amazing, I would say your chances are pretty good. Try to get an interview if you haven’t!</p>
<p>I have to agree with jeancocteau again. The admissions process at highly selective schools is a big mysterious black box. Stuff goes in one slot, and you never really know enough about what goes on inside there to predict which slot it will emerge from. You’re definitely within their median scores and class rankings, so if you’d like to go there, go for it.</p>